reichenbach



Aug- 18, 1959. L. l.. REICHENBACH 2,899,968

EASY WALKER PPLIANCE '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 15, 1957 L. L.REICHENBACH EASY WALKER APPLIANCE Aug. 1s, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filedon. 15, 1957 United States Patent() EASY WALKER APPLIANCE Laurence LeoReichenbach, Astoria, N.Y.

Application October 15, 1957, Serial No. 690,343

1 Claim. (Cl. 13S-45) This invention relates to walking devices and,more particularly, to an attachment for carnes, crutches, and the like.

It has been found that the substantially rigid conventional types ofcanes and crutches transmit a substantial amount of impact shocks to theuser which is suffering from some particular ailment requiring the useof such appliance. In many cases, such shocks are extremely painful toarthritics, persons having fractured bones, sprained backs, hips, andthe like. It is therefore an object of the present invention to providean attachment for various types of walking appliances that is extremelysimple in construction, eicient in operation, and which will absorb manyof the shocks ordinarily transmitted to the user so as to reduce thepains and suffering of such handicapped individuals.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachmentfor Walking appliances which may be selectively supported upon theappliance in a particular manner to alleviate different types of pains.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide anattachment for walking appliances that adds to the comfort andrehabilitation of the patient and which can be manufactured in largequantities at relatively low cost so as to be readily available to allafflicted individuals when required.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of thisinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing,wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a cane embodying au attachment made inaccordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded front elevational view of the device shown inFigure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, with parts broken away,showing the details of construction of the apparatus shown in Figures land 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the parts in an adjustedposition;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing one of theelements forming a part of the present invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view taken alongline 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 ofFigure 3;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, with partsbroken away, showing the device in operative use with a substantialamount of pressure exerted thereon;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form ofconstruction for use with a crutch; and

Figure l0 is a side elevational view of a crutch embodying the applianceattachment shown in Figure 9.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 8thereof, a compressible shank 17 for walking appliances is shown inoperative association as an integral part of a cane 12 having a handle14 and a ground engaging resilient pad 15. This shank 17 comprises atubular shaft 19 having a fixed sleeve 20 at one end secured thereto bymeans of a transversely extending pin 22. A slidable sleeve 24 isslidably carried'by the opposite end of the shaft 19 and is securedthereto by means of a transversely extending pin 25 which is fixed todiametrically opposite sides of the sleeve 24 and is slidably receivedWithin longitudinally extending slots 27 at diametrically opposite'sides of the shaft 19. 'Ihe outer end of the slidable sleeve 24 lisprovided with a transversely extending wall 29 for forming a seat forone end of a compression spring 32 that is seated at its opposite endupon the transversely extending pin 25. It will thus be recognized thatinward movement of the sleeve 24 is resiliently resisted by thecompression spring 32. A rigidifying pin 30 extends through the outerend of the sleeve 24.

The ground engaging member 15 has a longitudinal bore 40 for receivingone of the aforementioned sleeves 20, 24. The handle 14 includes areduced shank portion 34 for engaging with the other one of theaforementioned sleeve 20, 24. This reduced shank portion 34 is providedwith a longitudinal recess 38 within which a clip plate 35 is securedthat has a laterally outwardly extending tongue 36 for frictionallysecuring the handle 14 in place within the associated sleeve.

In actual use, the compressible shank 17 may be used in the positionshown in Figure l when it is desired to reduce the jar and shock to theback, shoulders, and hips, as well as the arms, to make walking morecomfortable for those individuals that are ailioted in those parts ofthe bodies. However, the shank 17 may be inverted to the position shownin Figure 4 of the drawing for individuals who are amicted withrheumatism, arthritis, sprains and broken bones in certain parts of theback and hips.

With references now to Figures 9 and 10 of the drawing, a compressibleshank unit 45 is shown that is particularly suited for use with crutchesand the like. This unit includes a tubular shaft 47 having a sleeve 49fixed to one end by means of a pin 50 and a sliding sleeve 52 adjustablycarried by the opposite end. A transversely extending pin 54 extendsthrough and is secured to the end of the tubular shaft 47 received bythe sliding sleeve 52. This pi-n also is slidably received withinlongitudinally extending slots 55 at diametrically opposite sides of thesliding sleeve 52 to provide for limited reciprocating longitudinalmovement. A compression spring 56, seated at one end against thetransversely extending pin 54, is seated at the opposite end within theground engaging tip 58 so as to provide the cushioning action. A crutch61 provided with a peg 60 of reduced diameter is frictionally secured tothe outer end of the xed sleeve 49-so as to maintain the parts in properassembled relationship. It will thus be recognized that the crutch isalso cushioned in a manner similar to that described in connection withthe cane of Figures l to 8, so that afflicted persons are afforded themaximum amount of comfort.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to theconstruction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such isnot to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, whichis best defined by the claim appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

A compressible shank for walking appliances comprising, in combination,a tubular shaft, a fixed sleeve secured to one end of said shaft, alongitudinally slidable sleeve carried by the opposite end of saidshaft, means for cushioning the inward movement of said longitudinallyslidable sleeve, means'for securing a ground engaging member to onesleeve, and means for securing a body engaging member to the othersleeve, said opposite end of said shaft comprising a of longitudinallyextend- ,ing` slots at diametricallyi opposite sides thereof spacedinwardly vfrom the outer extremity Ofsaid opposite en d vof said shaft,a pin extending diametrically through the inner 4end of said slidablesleeve slidably received said slots for reciprocating longitudinalmovement, a transverse Wall Within the outerend of said ,slidab'lesleeve, and said'cushioning means comprising a relatively short stiicompression spring acting between said transverse wall and said pin,wherein said body Vengaging member comprises a handlel having asubstantially straight shank of reduced diameter, saidA shank V'having15 f f, 2,899,968 y A A a longitudinally extending recess,'a clip platesecured to said handle shank Within said recess, and a tongue integralwith said clip plate extending outwardly therefrom for releasablefrictional engagement Within said 5 slidable sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES-PATENTS

